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1983 GS550E in New Mexico

  • Thread starter Thread starter Astir
  • Start date Start date
A

Astir

Guest
Hello all!

We rescued this GS550 about a year and a half ago from being neglected. It was parked in 1996 with a full tank of gas and not touched since when we brought it home.

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It took a bit of work to get running.

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We are still working through bugs but we have had some good rides. I mostly ride it to work on occasion to see how it is doing. Plus quick weekend trips because it is so much fun to ride.

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My daughter still needs to grow into it. We bought a second seat from ebay and shaved it down for her, but the clutch is a little too stiff. She will grow and get stronger so someday she will have the opportunity.

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My son enjoys the bike the most. He has taken two 350 mile + trips to visit family in southern NM.

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Welcome! I've ridden since the 80s without ever being able to flat foot my bike :).
 
Welcome to the site, Astir.
Nice to see another forgotten GS back on the road.
I bet 19 year old gas has a lovely aroma.
 
It is factory, which is nice since we replaced one cracked side cover from one found on ebay. Matched perfectly.
 
Very nice. Factory original motorcycles in that shape are becoming quite scarce. Thank you for rescuing it.
 
Yes, thanks for saving another beauty. Love the 550's - great little bikes. I haven't seen one like it in years, great find!
 
WHy is the clutch too stiff?
Lube that cable quick!
MY clutch is easy as can be to use and Im no super strong person.
 
Thank you all for the welcome.

To answer your question JEEPRUSTY, I am not sure why it is stiff. First we lubed the cable, then replaced the cable, then removed and verified all the clutch adjustment parts were free and moving, replaced the clutch plates and springs (the springs were at the low limit). All this made it much better and OK for myself and my son but still a bit much for my daughter with her very small hands, she is 5', weighs 80 lbs with very little hands (sm or md kids gloves fit her). A little stiff for big hands can be really difficult for small hands due to simple mechanics. ;) She now has a TU250X.

The only other thing I would know to do is slowly integrate lighter springs springs until it is workable to her, but then I would worry about clutch slippage.

Thank you all, now off to study the information you have about stators and regulators - so much great information on this site! The regulator 'let all the smoke out' a couple weeks ago.
 
ahhh the reg rect is crap
get one of the nice compufire units or the other type I forget the name.
 
Astir said:
Thank you all for the welcome.

To answer your question JEEPRUSTY, I am not sure why it is stiff. First we lubed the cable, then replaced the cable, then removed and verified all the clutch adjustment parts were free and moving, replaced the clutch plates and springs (the springs were at the low limit). All this made it much better and OK for myself and my son but still a bit much for my daughter with her very small hands, she is 5', weighs 80 lbs with very little hands (sm or md kids gloves fit her). A little stiff for big hands can be really difficult for small hands due to simple mechanics. ;) She now has a TU250X.

The only other thing I would know to do is slowly integrate lighter springs springs until it is workable to her, but then I would worry about clutch slippage.

Thank you all, now off to study the information you have about stators and regulators - so much great information on this site! The regulator 'let all the smoke out' a couple weeks ago.
Click to expand...

How does she like the TU250X?
 
She loves it, but it does have its limits. 75 MPH is about top speed (even with aftermarket sprockets to give it more top end) so she has to take all backroads to town. She does get anywhere from 65 to 75 miles per gallon. Win win for me. LOL

I like riding it too, it is very light and nimble. Very easy to working on, and I love that it is fuel injected.
 
Astir said:
She loves it, but it does have its limits. 75 MPH is about top speed (even with aftermarket sprockets to give it more top end) so she has to take all backroads to town. She does get anywhere from 65 to 75 miles per gallon. Win win for me. LOL

I like riding it too, it is very light and nimble. Very easy to working on, and I love that it is fuel injected.
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with back roads :). Here, they're much safer than the highways and I don't have to worry about passing semis tossing me in the ditch.
 
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